Killer Bees: What the Allergist Should Know

Abstract

Africanized honey bees (AHB), often referred to as "killer bees," extended their northern range to the United States in the fall of 1990. Although the venom components of AHB and European honey bees (EHB) are similar,^(1,2) more human-bee contact and reactions are expected because of the general increase in total bees per geographic area (in established regions of AHB), increased aggressive-defensive behavior,⁽³⁾ and continued northward spread, which exposes an increasing population.^(4-6) Even though AHB do not establish well in freezing climates, much of the continental United States could be threatened to some degree by AHB during warm seasons because of transport, i.e., trucking, rail, and shipping. Many multiple stinging incidents and several massive (100+ stings) stinging incidents have occurred in south Texas. Children present an increased risk group to massive attacks of AHB due both to their decreased ability to recognize potential imminent stinging situations and to the toxicity of large amounts of venom relative to their smaller bodies. Testing and treatment of patients with IgE-mediated reactions caused by AHB and EHB should be the same.(1) Treatment of toxic and combined allergic-toxic reactions is supportive, occasionally necessitating aggressive intervention, and is relatively predictable based on the number of stings, bee venom allergic status, victim's body size, and general health. Allergists likely will become a source of information and treatment for patients, the public, and the media. This will become increasingly important when AHB are identified in new geographic locations, especially as stinging incidents occur.